Qatar Airways will become the first carrier to begin UK services with the Boeing 787 next month after taking delivery of its first Dreamliner.
The carrier will fly the 787 daily between Heathrow and Doha, with services scheduled to begin on December 1.
Qatar operates five daily services from Heathrow Terminal 4 to its Doha hub. Chief executive Akbar Al Baker said in London last month: “It is fitting our 787 will operate on the London route. I promise an unparalleled travel experience.”
The carrier expects to have five 787s by the end of this year and Al Baker said: “As we take delivery of more aircraft, additional 787 flights will operate into Heathrow.”
However, Qatar intends to put its second 787 on services between Doha and Australia.
Qatar had planned to launch 787 services from Heathrow in September after its first Dreamliner went on display at the Farnborough Air Show in July. However, deliveries were held up by difficulties installing the in-flight entertainment system.
The carrier has firm orders for 30 787s and options on another 30, and confirmed last month it will join the Oneworld alliance alongside British Airways.
Al Baker said: “Qatar Airways takes delivery of a new aircraft on average every 15 days. Next year it will be every 12 days.”